With former FC Barcelona player Xavi Hernandez tipped to take over at the Spanish giants in the near future, it has been claimed he might want to do so without superstar Lionel Messi there.
The Argentine has been linked with a move away from the club in recent days, after it was reported he halted contract renewal discussions as he is fed up with the Blaugrana board.
There could also soon be a big managerial change at the Catalan giants, with Xavi believed to be a candidate who could take over in 2021, around the same time Messi has reportedly earmarked to leave the Camp Nou.
Speaking about the latest surrounding Barcelona recently, LaLiga expert Graham Hunter suggested that perhaps Xavi would not mind being given the job without the pressure of having to handle Messi.
"One of the things that Xavi would probably be grateful for would be beginning his reign without Messi there, in my opinion," he told Soccer Laduma.
"I don't think he wants Messi forced out, but if you come in to have to work with a Messi who, because of age, is not quite the player he once was, I don't want to use the word decline because I don't necessarily think he's in decline yet, I think what's around him is in decline.
"He's still going to be Spain's leading scorer, leading assist giver, he's going to be LaLiga's most valuable player. Two weeks ago, as we speak, they (Barcelona) were still in contention to win the league, they're still in the Champions League, blah blah blah, you get my point.
"I imagine Messi looking and thinking, 'Well, if Xavi's the coach, does that automatically mean I stay?' I'm not sure. They get on fine, they think similarly, but they're two very strong-minded characters. My opinion is that Xavi would probably like to begin fresh, that's my opinion."
Xavi is currently the first-team manager of Al Sadd, where he is expected to remain at least until next year.
